Identification means



July 11, 1967 R E, RODGERS 3,330,057

IDENTIFICATION MEANS Filed Sept. 27, 1965 INVENTOR Ro ww. f. Qofes FIG- United States Patent Office 3,330,057 Patented July 11, 1967 3,330,057 IDENTIFICATION MEANS Royal E. Rodgers, 16336 Summershade Drive, La Mirada, Calif. 90638 Filed Sept. 27, 1965, Ser. No. 490,483 6 Claims. (Cl. 4021) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The invention is a wrist band or strap to be worn by men or women to hold an identification badge such as used to identify employees of a given industrial organization. Such strap is characterized by being formed of several layers of fiexible material in juxtaposed relation, the upper pieces of material being formed with two openings through which the prong of an identification badge is extended. A rigid plate is positioned between the several layers `of flexible material to direct the prong from one through opening to another.

The present invention relates generally to identification means, and more particularly to means for identifying persons of a particular group, such as employees of a given corporation or the like.

Within the past several decades, most corporations and other industrial organizations have used identification badges for all of their employees to suitably identify them and to differentiate between certain groups of employees. That is, although in years gone by an employer may have known all of his employees by name and position in the company, today industrial enterprises are so large and impersonal that identification means is required to properly contol admittance to buildings and other corporate areas. In this regard, it is noted that many industrial firms are active in both commercial and national defense efforts, and as such must be able to quickly identify those persons having responsibilities in each of these areas.

Also prevalent in the present industrial era is the employment of large numbers of female workers. Frequently, the wearing of an identification badge or the like on the blouse or dress of a woman employee is deemed undesirable by such person due to the unfeminine nature and appearance of badges of practically any type or style. In view of this, it is desirable to provide identification means to be worn by a person, but which is particularly well adapted for use by women employees. Such identification means, it has been determined, should be simple in construction and easy to apply and remove, while nonetheless, affording identication of the person in a clear and obvious manner.

It is an object of the present invention to provide identification means which can be worn on the Wrist of a person.

Another object of the present invention is to provide identification means as characterized above which employs a flexible strap to be fastened to a persons Wrist and which is adapted to receive and retain an ordinary identification badge.

Another object of the present invention is to provide identification means as characterized above which retains an identification badge in substantially xed position thereby minimizing rattling and other possible distractions.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide an identification badge holder formed of leather or other materials having a pleasing appearance, said material enabling an identification badge to be firmly received and retained thereon.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide identification means as characterized above which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is rugged and dependable in operation.

The novel features which I consider characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The device itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of identification means according to the present invention shown on a persons wrist;

FIGURE 2 is a sectional view of such identification means, taken substantially along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top plan view of subject identification badge holder;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view thereof, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional View, taken substantially along line 5 5 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional View, taken substantially along line 6-6 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing an identification badge being mounted on the holder; and

FIGURE 8 is a sectional view, taken substantially along line ShS of FIGURE 7.

Like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to FIGURE 1 of the drawings, there is shown therein an identification badge holder 10 according to the present invention fastened to a person's wrist. An identication badge 12 is firmly positioned thereon as Will hereinafter be explained.

Such holder 10 comprises strap means 14 formed of substantially any material such as leather, plastic or the like to encircle a persons Wrist, Quite obviously, such material must be fiexible and, as shown in FIGURES 3 and 4 of the drawings, may be provided at one end with a buckle 16. The other end may be provided with suitable holes 18 for engagement with buckle 16 in the usual manner.

Attached to strap means 14 is mounting means 20 which comprises a first mounting element 22 and a second mounting element 24. Element 22, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 4, is fixed to the strap in any appropriate manner as by cernenting, stitching or the like. The strap means 14 may be formed in two parts as shown, each such part being firmly secured to the mounting element 22.

Positioned on element 22, as shown most clearly in FIGURE 4 of the drawings, is a plate 26. Such plate is secured thereto in any appropriate manner as by cementing or the like. As will hereinafter become more apparent, plate 26 is formed of non-flexible hard material such as metal or certain Well-known plastics.

The second mounting element 24 is aligned with and positioned superjacent the element 22 as shown most clearly in FIGURES 3 and 5 of the drawings. Such elements may be attached together as by cernenting, stitching, or the like to provide a substantially unitary structure. If cement or other bonding means is employed, it is preferable to restrict the cement to certain areas along the peripheral edges of the elements 22 and 24, for instance to the areas defined by the dotted lines 28 and the adjacent outer peripheral edges 30. In the alternative, or in addition to such cement, the peripheral edges of the members 22 and 24 can be stitched together with thread as shown most clearly in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

By restricting the cement or bonding material to the opposite sides of the elements 22 and 24, the intermediate portion of such elements are not connected together. This provides a space therebetween for use in fastening the identification badge in place, as will hereinafter become more apparent.

The second mounting element 24 is formed with a pair of spaced openings 24a and 24b located within the noncemented area between the elements. Such openings are provided to enable the prong 12a of badge 12 to be inserted between the elements 22 and 24, `through opening 24a and returned from between the elements through opening 24b. Element 24 is further formed with an elongated slot or slit 24C which is substantially normal to the center line 32, extending between the openings 24a and 24b. This slot extends equidistant on opposite ends of such center line and may terminate in smaller holes 24d in element 24, which holes prevent tearing or ripping of the material.

The usual identification badge 12 is formed with an identification portion 12b and a mounting clasp 12C. The latter comprises the prong 12a and a reversely bent latch member 12b. The mounting clasp 12C, as shown most clearly in -FIGURE 2, may encircle a backup member 12e, the latter of which is attached to the identification means 12b.

, Badge 12 is mounted on the holder 10 by insertion of the prong 12a through the openings 24a and 24b. To accomplish this, the fiexible material of the elements 22 and-24 is exed so as to expose the opening 24a. However, to prevent engagement of the sharp, pointed tip of prong 12a with the soft, flexible material of element 22 upon insertion of prong 12a in opening 24a, the plate 26 is provided. Since this plate is formed of hard and smooth material, the tip of the prong isV directed by such plate away from element 22 and toward the opening 24b.

As shown most clearly in FIGURES 7 Vand 8 of the drawings, the elements 22 and 24 are then bent or fiexed to enable the prong 12a to protrude through the opening 24b. The elongated transverse slot 24C in element 24 enables such elements to be easily fixed at this point to permit the prong 12a to extend therefrom.

After the prong 12a has been suitably inserted as described, it is then positioned on the reversely bent latch member 12d. This member is ofV such'size with respect to opening 24b in mounting element 24 as to firmly seat therewithin to prevent the badge 12 from rattling or moving on the mounting means 10. In this regard, it should be noted that the clasp 12C is also provided with a looped or reversely bent portion 12j which firmly fits within the opening 24a of element 24 to further assist in securing the badge 12 in a firm position.

Although the mounting elements 22 and 24 may be shaped to substantially any desired configuration and size, it has been found most desirable to have such elements conform to the size and shape of the badge 12. As such, the identification badge holder is relatively unobtrusive and obscure. It is thus sufficiently attractive to be worn with substantially any female apparel. s

It is thus seen that the present invention provides identification means which can be easily worn on the wrist of a person of either sex. Itis so constructed as to enable an identification badge to be quickly and firmly secured thereto. A further advantage, of course, is that the badge is so secured to the Vbadge holder as to prevent rattling andother distracting movement of the badge.

Although I have shown and described certain specific embodiments of my invention, I am fully aware that many modifications thereof are'possible. My invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except insofar as is necessitated by the prior art and by the spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An identification badge holder comprising in combination, a flexible strap to be fastened to a persons wrist, mounting means comprising a first element fixed to said strap and a second element aligned with and positioned superjacent said first element, said second element being formed with a pair of spaced openings and being fixed to said first element at its peripheral edge, and a plate fixed to said first element at one of said openings in said second element whereby the prong of an identification badge can be inserted into said one of said openings and returned through the other thereof, said plate preventing said prong from engaging said first element upon insertion thereof.

2. An identification badge holder according to claim 1 wherein said first and second elements are formed of fiexible material permitting them to be flexed adjacent said openings to assist in placing said badge'on said second element.

3. An identification badge holder according to claim 2 wherein said second element is formed with an elongated slot intersecting said other of said openings and extending substantially normal to the center line through said openings, whereby said elements can be flexed to permit passage of said prong through said other of said openings'.

4. Identification means according to claim 6 wherein said mounting means comprises a first element' fixed to said strap and a second element aligned with and positioned superjacent said first element, said secon-d element being secured to said first element `at predetermined locations, said second element being further formed witha pair of spaced openingsspaced from said locations affording space between said elements between said openings, whereby the prong of said identification badge is positioned between said first andV second elements by insertion thereof through one of said openings and returns thereof through the other of said openings.

5, Identification means according to claim 4 wherein a plate is fixed to said first element adjacentthe said one of said openings in said second'element to prevent said prong from engaging said first element upon insertion thereof. V V

6. Identification means comprisingY in combination a fiexible strap Vto be fastened to a persons wrist, mounting means on said strap formedof'iiexible material and formed with'a pair of spaced openings, and an identification badge having an identification portion and a mounting prong attached thereto for relative movement,V said prong being inserted through one of said openings and returned through the other to thereby cause said badge to be firmly secured to said mountingmeans, said badge being further provided with a reversely bent latch member for receiving said prong and positioned within the said other of said openings to thereby retain said identification badge `in fixed position on 'said mounting means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,427,891 9/ 1922 Ziegler 40-21 1,756,041 4/1930 VanceY 63--1L5 X 1,785,186 12/193() Day 40-l.5 2,388,728 11/1945 Dondero 40--1L5 EUGENE R. CAPOZIO, Primary Examiner. w. JfCoNTREiL/is, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN IDENTIFICATION BADGE HOLDER COMPRISING IN COMBINATION, A FLEXIBLE STRAP TO BE FASTENED TO A PERSON''S WRIST, MOUNTING MEANS COMPRISING A FIRST ELEMENT FIXED TO SAID STRAP AND A SECOND ELEMENT, ALIGNED WITH AND POSITIONED SUPERJACENT SAID FIRST ELEMENT, SAID SECOND ELEMENT BEING FORMED WITH A PAIR OF SPACED OPENINGS AND BEING FIXED TO SAID FIRST ELEMENT AT ITS PERIPHERAL EDGE, AND A PLATE FIXED TO SAID FIRST ELEMENT AT ONE OF SAID OPENINGS 